Page 2 (1/2)

Chapter 1

Ford

There was never a doubt that I would be a soldier The Gregory fa to randad talk about the brotherhood and the satisfaction of serving our country I wanted to be just like the with ether An hour later, I was enlisted

I will never forget that day, or the feeling of doing soer than myself

Basic was hell, but I expected it The purpose was to tear us down, only to build us back up again I knew that, and mentally I was ready There were many eren’t and many who didn’t make the cut I wasn’t one of them

What I wasn’t prepared for was the loneliness and the longing for home I miss my family with a fierceness I didn’t knoas capable of They write all the ti es My buddy Chad benefits thein and laying on the charm when it comes to Mom She’s already fallen for his charisma

Chad and I eneration soldier His parents were supportive, but it took theet used to the idea The way he tells it, it’s just him and his little sister, Cassie, and their cousin Shayne to carry on the family name That was an issue for his family, but they’ve since accepted his desire and need to be a soldier

“Two more days,” Chad says from his spot next to me

We’re stationed overseas It’s been a long nine oes well, we’ll be hoardless, e get our orders, we’ll go We’re soldiers That’s e do

“Two very long days,” I say, tilting gy night here in the desert, but the stars are bright, and this time next week, we’ll be stateside

“You’re still coht?” Chad asks

“Yeah Mom and Dad are on a cruise, so I’ll stay with you for a week or so before heading home to Ohio”

“You mean until we head home to Ohio,” he jokes

“You’re really only going to visit with your family for a week?” I ask him

“No I’ to follow your ass home to make sure you make it okay Your ot hitched or sohs “Besides, I’m just a few hours from hoht?”